Jonathan furrowed his brows lost. Not because he did not understand what Reginald was asking of him, but because he did not understand why Reginald was asking that of him.
"Emergency, you say?" Jonathan asked Reginald who nodded. "But last week was a general court meeting. We can't keep making patriarchs leave their county's all the way to London everytime, That would be us overusing the power we have been given." Jonathan said shrugging
"I agree, but this is something the patriarchs cannot miss, especially patriarch Lincoln."
****
Chi could hear the door crack open and footsteps approaching. She could not stop shuddering in fear tied to the chair and the clothe bag on her face, breathing was a difficulty.
She had paid Charlotte a visit that morning, and was leaving to her house when she was taken to an unknown place by an unknown person.
"Take it off" a man's voice ordered. Chi could hear the footsteps getting closer and a the clothe bag was taken off harshly.
CHI'S POV
I peered at my captors curiosity and fear written all over my face. The man who removed the clothe bag returned to where the one suspected to be his master stood. But his master gave him a glare as wicked as Charlotte's.
"And is this who I asked you to bring me?" He asked my captor who glanced at me then his master
"Yes, my Lord" he answered unsure I glanced at the master praying in my heart that he immediately disagrees. He fulfilled my wish striking the failed abductor
"You good for nothing fool" he cussed "where is Rufus?!" He barked "I ordered him to handle this himself! How did you abduct the wrong girl? How could you be so stupid to abduct the wrong girl??" The master was beyond upset. He but his finger in anger. I stared at both of them wondering what they were going to do with me.
"Go get me Rufus!" He barked, my abductor hurried off to get the 'Rufus'. I looked around my surroundings, there was so much wood around... wait 'wood' . I glanced at the furious master and squinted my eyes, was he exactly who I thought it was?
I remembered when I had assisted Charlotte fetch wood for the patriarch we had kept it in a storehouse that looked exactly like this one I had been locked up in. I peered outside the storehouse, it was dusk already, the sun had set. My mother was going to be worried sick.
"Patriarch Lincoln" I mumbled
He gave me a glance that showcased his irritation, and I immediately put my head down.
In about eight minutes, my abductor returned with a man who looked hunky and buff. He was the 'Rufus' I guessed.
"My Lord" Rufus said bowing his head
"Just look at what the idiot you sent brought me" Lord Lincoln said pointing at me, Rufus glanced at me immediately. His glance turned into a stare of surprise.
"Why, Richard?" Rufus asked his underling who shook his head vigorously
"I did not intend to make such a mistake my Lord" he said pleadingly to Lord Lincoln who we all knew was not a kind man, he was just like Charlotte. Mother often said he hated Charlotte, because she opposed everything he had to say, and she got caned most of the time. Whenever mother went to a meeting at the government house, she brought back gist that Charlotte and Lord Lincoln were at it again. Everyone in the county knew how much he hated her, I found it interesting that she had made a name for herself all over the Northern Yorkshire.
"But you did" Rufus said. He turned to Lord Lincoln
"I am at fault my Lord. Punish me instead..." "No sire, I went to the house of Charlotte Brumble. I inquired specifically for the house of the local apothecary, she is the only one in Ramsbottom" the underling whose name was Richard said quickly, he seemed not to like the idea of Rufus getting punished for him. And they wanted Charlotte not me. 'is the patriarch really going to hurt Charlotte for being Charlotte?' I asked myself
"Then how did this come about?" Lord Lincoln asked pointing at me , Richard was glad he got a chance to explain from the way he nodded.
"Immediately I got to the door, I met this lady coming out of the cottage, so I mistook her for the target" he explained. Lord Lincoln was not satisfied with his explanation and scoffed mockingly.
"My Lord, please forgive Charlotte if she has been rude to you. That is how she is. It is not worth hurting her sire, please have mercy..." Lord Lincoln began walking in my direction and the rest of my speech remained stuck in my throat.
When he was right in front of me, he lifted my chin up and wore a mocking look.
"She was in her house, you say?" He asked which was directed at Richard who who nodded although Lord Lincoln could not see
"Yes, my Lord" he replied
"Untie her".
I was untied and led inside the guest living room cum dining where I was offered food and water by a maid girl. I did not eat the food for fear that it was poisoned.
Lord Lincoln joined me inside the guest living room the maid bowed and left. He sat across the table and inhaled
"Have you refused to eat?" He asked I shook my head "I am not hungry, my Lord" I said which was the truth, I had no appetite.
"You are very important to me, I will not let anyone poison you" he said pointing at the food. He wanted me to eat either I liked it or not. I forced myself to eat and when I was done I pushed the tray away
"Are you aware Charlotte treated the crown prince?" Lord Lincoln asked. I darted my eyes claiming I was lost
"A Reginald, six feet three inches tall, black hair..."
I shook my head
"I have never seen a man that matches your description, my Lord" I lied. He rolled his eyes "Rufus" he called as if tired. Rufus came in holding a paper scroll and bowed handing it Lord Lincoln who opened it all the while looking at me. My eyes shook with nervousness as I anticipated what was to come.
"You don't recognize this young man?" He asked
I shook my head immediately. He nodded slowly then asked another question
"Where is the man Charlotte treated, that she collected two pennies from you girls if you wanted to meet him?" He asked "I do not know, my Lord..."
He chuckled dryly and I joined in not knowing what to do, until Rufus shot me a warning glare
"I only want to reward her you see, that man she treated is the crown prince. The king sent a reward to her, and we all know Charlotte does not really enjoy coming to the government office" he shrugged slightly "how then would she claim her rewards if I do not bring her here by force?" He asked rhetorically, I glanced at Rufus like he would tell me if Lord Lincoln was being honest or not. To my surprise Rufus nodded.
"We didn't mean to offend you, my dear" Lord Lincoln said and Rufus bowed in apology.
They seemed sincere enough so I told them the truth.
****
Charlotte had sent Five on his way to Apollo who was waiting for him in the forest part they would be using for their journey two days earlier. Poor Five lost his speech. There was nothing Charlotte could do to help him. He was not an illiterate although and knowing how to read and write made him still useful to Reginald. The man could not handle the fact that he could no longer speak, he had spoken with stress the past days, but some days ago when he wanted to call Charlotte and ask for water, nothing good came out. He could only gag and and muffle words with more vowels than consonants.
Chi was declared missing and search parties were organized for her. The last place she was seen was in Charlotte's home, and Charlotte kept having to explain to everyone that Chi left her house already before she went missing. Who would likely believe a witch who caused her parents death? Some still kept trying to inquire Chi's whereabouts from her.
Maisy had chased them away, they were saying too much that was out of the picture and she feared that Charlotte would become upset. But was Charlotte even concerned? She was almost glad Chi was no longer there to make noise in her ear... bothering her with stupid questions.
The noise on the door was loud enough to break it. Charlotte was upset now, how could those lousy villagers wake Granny up?
She walked to the door ready to curse life out of them, but she met a man who looked healthier than she imagined the folks of Ramsbottom to ever be. He placed his index finger on his lips
"Shhhh" he shushed walking into the house, she could only move back slowly until he picked her up.
"Gra..." He covered a handkerchief over her nose and mouth and the words faded as so did the world around her.
****
Charlotte woke up with a strong headache, she looked at herself first and realized her hands were tied behalf a chair, and her feet were also tied in front of her. The first thing she had to do was dislocate her thumb. It would hurt seriously, but that was the only way to leave the premises she glanced at for the first time. She recognized it immediately, it was the storehouse she had been filling with wood for a month and more. The door opened and Lincoln and his right hand man walked in. Charlotte rolled her eyes, 'what have i donenow?' she asked herself
Lincoln wore a satisfied grin, he glanced at his nails and then Charlotte cramped to the chair.
"My-my, look what we have here..." He chuckled "... Charlotte Brumble in the flesh..."
"Let me guess, you abducted me to treat your syphilis...or...?"
Lincoln wore an ugly frown immediately and marched to Charlotte, he slapped her across the face
"Have you no manners?" He asked he tutted now
"Why am I even asking? I know you are a craze of a girl..." 'you still haven't told me why I'm here' she wanted to blurt, but Lincoln's hands hurt more than anything.
"You Charlotte are in big trouble" He said chuckling, he burst into laughter and pointed at her "your no good hunger brought you right where I needed you" he added feeling evil. Charlotte yawned bored of him
Lincoln could not help getting further upset, but he would not let Charlotte ruin his fun.
"You remember treating the crown prince, don't you?" He asked, she wore a frown then shook her head "no" she said shrugging. Lincoln's frown returned, but he did give up.
"You don't remember treating a Reginald?" He asked forcing himself to be calm, Charlotte nodded slowly "I have treated a man named Reginald, but he is one of Ramsbottom's landlords and certainly not a crown prince" she replied. Lincoln inhaled
"What about the young man your neighborhood girls paid you two pennies to see?" He asked Charlotte who burst laughing "you have been fed wrong information sire. Who would pay to see anyone?" She asked "why would anyone pay to see anyone?". Lincoln showed a picture of Reginald
"You don't remember this man?"
"Ohh... he is goodlooking, but I won't pay to see hi..." Lincoln bursted now
"You must think I'm joking with you Charlotte!" He yelled. She shook her head "no, of course not my Lord, but I won't pay to see this ma..." Lincoln stumped his feet like a six years old who could not get what he wanted. And gestured for Rufus to bring Chi in. Charlotte watched him enjoying every bit of his reaction.
Chi was led in by Rufus with her hands tied behind her. Charlotte's eyes widened, she glanced at Lord Lincoln who had a smirk on.
"I knew it, I just pictured your reaction when you meet her, and it is exactly everything I imagined" he laughed shortly
"I'm sorry Charlotte" Chi apologized. Charlotte looked away from her, she was not the least upset.
"What do you want Lord Lincoln?" She asked Lincoln who scoffed "and what can a dirty little pig like yourself offer me?" He asked back she chuckled glancing at Rufus then him. Chi shook her head, she was trying to tell Charlotte not to add salt to injury but Charlotte ignored her
"Information" she replied. Lincoln had a good laugh "you think you are more informed than me?" He asked amused. "If course not sire... but if I may ask, how long does it take to the capital from here?" She asked "three days" Rufus replied
"Ohoho" laughed Charlotte "you are in big trouble then" she said. Lincoln's face fell in disappointment that was faked. Charlotte knew how to talk nonsense with her mouth.
"How silly of you to try to be even more annoying when you should be pleading for your life" Lincoln spat he pointed at Chi "she has more brains than you do" he said furiously
'how dare him insult me like this...'
Richard hurried inside the storehouse with an envelope, he glanced at Charlotte and furrowed his brows
"A letter from the castle" he said bowing slightly. Rufus took the letter and opened it.
"A general court meeting, my Lord" he said
"It states that the meeting is on Wednesday. That is two days away we have to leave now sire." Rufus said bowing. Lincoln furrowed his brows
"Two days away? Why am I just receiving this letter?" He asked Rufus who glanced at the letter "it was written and sent on Saturday" he replied.
Lincoln groaned leaving "prepare, we shall leave now. I leave them in your care idiot..." Lincoln was referring to Richard as; idiot
"...do not disappoint me" and with that he left.
Richard pushed Chi further inside the storehouse harshly. Charlotte glared at him, how could he treat a woman like that?.
"Sit on the floor" he ordered Chi who nodded vigorously taking her seat on the floor. Richard left them almost immediately.
Charlotte grunted and hissed out in pain, Chi glanced at her.
"Are you alright Charlotte?" She asked Charlotte ignored her, but she asked again "are you alright Charlotte? Did they hurt you??"
"Shut up and let me focus!" Charlotte hissed "sorry" Chi muttered.
Another pained hiss and Charlotte releasedher left hand from the tied ropes. She used her teeth and left hand to release her right and untied her legs. Chi watched her curiously, she could not help thinking about how wonderful Charlotte was.
Charlotte walked to the door and peeped outside from the smallest opening she could find the storehouse was clear from people. And Richard seemed to have left to do his business. Charlotte leaned against the door tired and it opened almost bringing her to the floor she Caught herself and the door before she fell. Then let out a dark chuckle.
"No wonder he called him idiot" she said chuckling. She peeped outside again, opened the door quietly and was about to leave when;
"Please Charlotte, save me" Chi begged
Charlotte glanced back at Chi then chuckled again "your mother owes me a hundred pounds..." She muttered walking to her
"We don't have that, but we have at least ten pounds to spare..." "I'll take it. Can you climb a fence?" Charlotte asked loosing the ropes on Chi's hands
"Yes...I can climb any fence..." "Shut up Chi "